Flu! When in Doubt Get Checked Out

• July 24, 2019
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It is a sad day in history, April 21st, 2016 will be the day of Purple Rain, as legendary musician Prince died at the age of 57. Devastatingly, the man of many hats was experiencing flu like symptoms leading up to his death. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health.

Though flu season is over, do not underestimate the signs from your body. Influenza season is considered October through May, peaking in February. The Flu is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe and the most common symptoms include high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and feeling tired. These symptoms usually begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week, the cough may last more than two weeks. It was said that Prince had been experiencing Flu like symptoms for several weeks, frequently visiting the Walgreens near his Paisley Park Estate in Minnesota. The musician was becoming very frail, and he had already had an incident where he was rushed to the hospital from his private plane. In the days before his death his symptoms did not seem to be improving according to TMZ. The flu can be dangerous if left untreated or improperly treated.

It is important that individuals consult with their primary care physician or over telemedicine through Virtual ERs , where doctors can diagnose and get patients the help and medicine required. The Flu though common is nothing to mess with and is contagious to others. Most of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination. The CDC’s current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued recommendations for everyone 6 years of age and older, who do not have any contraindications to vaccination, to receive a flu vaccine each year. Vaccine efficacy also varies from one person to another. Past studies of healthy young adults have shown the flu vaccine to be 70%-90% effective in preventing illness. In general, the majority (about 90%-95%) of people who get the disease feel terrible but recover with no problems. People with weak immune systems have worse outcomes than uncompromised individual’s. In most outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, the mortality rates are highest in the older population usually above 50 years old.

If you notice a change in mood or health and believe you may be coming down with the Flu, get to a doctor right away. It’s not worth risking the odds, when in doubt get checked out!

Alyssa Pasek